Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-09-06
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1887.
what is Democracy?


Republican papers are "still harp
ing on my daughter" in the matter OF
the attitude of the Democracy on the
question of revision OF the tariff.
consistency, thou art jewel! !" is, of
course, the point raised, and the ab-
sence of this gem is alleged as regards
the party. The major premise is false
IN the syllogism, and this being the
case, of course no true conclusion is
possible. Democracy is free trade.
The Pennsylvania Democrats favor
protection. Therefore they are not
consistent Democrats. This is the u.s.
ual course of reasoning. The San Fran
cisco Chronicle says: "In Iowa and
PENNSYLVANIA the Democratic conven-
tions declare in favor of oppressed
Ireland, but only one of these declares
for oppressed labor in America" 1t
is not clear what the objection raised
is precisely. Has the journal referred
to any half latent Know-nothing pro-
clivities, that she disapproves OF sym
pathy expressed for Ireland?
Tariff for revenue with Incl lental
protection to American industries is
the Democratic doctrine of to-day. 1t
has been the Democratic doctrine for
= very long time past. That declara-
tion of principles is almost coeval
with the party itself. Ii in the past
the party has been generally on the
side of free trade it has not been for
any inherent, essential truth in this
policy as a principle endued with
ri ght divine. 1t has been because
the policy of free trade has been the
best for the interests of the greatest
number of American citizens. Free
trade is not principle. Protection to
American manufactures is not a prin-
ciple. These are at best expediencies.
They are matters of policy, rather than
of abstract right. 1t is not much to be
wondered at that the minds of people
befogged with Republican PLAUSIBLE
ties, ,expediencies, love OF Office and par
ty policies, cannot grasp these differ.
ences. 1t is hardly too much to say
that the Republican party never did
have principle on which to base an
action. The very grounds on which il
was founded were this very matter o
protective tariff and internal i'm
Movements. Both had their inspira
ton in the same source. The protect
ing OF great manufacturing interests o
various sorts, the building up OF grea
monied monopolies-these were the
nearest approach to principle eve
made by the founders of that party
Of course these declarations OF prin
ciplcs" we're not openly avowed
A great cry was raised about American
labor as the ostensible purpose of the
party. Internal improvements was
another shibboleth of the party. This
had two-fold purpose: First, to hold
the Western States-a low-tarif section
ut the time without an exception in ten
thousand. There were no manufac-
tories in the West. There was no hope
Of winning the South into the new
party, hence the peculiar institu-
ton" was made an object of attack.
Second, high tariff would put money in
the Golfers of the New England manu-
facturers, and great internal improve
ments would make a market for their
products.
The party has been true to their
primary policy, and under it the
monopolies and manufacturers have
grown rich. When $27 per ton
or one hundred per cent. ad ualoren
duty on rails did not enrich the Re
publican leaders fast enough, large
land grants and unheard of subsidies
were voted to other staunch uphold
ers of the party, in order to stimulate
railroad building. So faithful has The
party been to its policy that when the
course of high tariff interfered with
the project OF enriching the people
who backed the party that policy was
discarded. The remission of the high
tariff ON wool, whereby the Western
farmer and his labor were made t,
compete with sheepmen in foreigl
lands, and whereby the New England
spinner was made rich, is nota
bic case in point. The tariff
never added nickel a day
to the wages of the laborer in
any industry. 1t made the rich pro
prietor richer, but left the poor wage
winner just where it found him.
Democracy is system founded on
mmutable and eternal principles
which cannot change or die. 1t is